Table 3 Complications
Criteria | Definition | Number of patients (%) |
|---|---|---|
Unrousable coma | Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤9; exclude other causes; should persist ≥30 minutes after a generalized convulsion | 3 (2,5) |
Impaired consciousness | Mental clouding, rousable | 11 (9) |
Multiple seizures | Three or more convulsions observed within 24 hours | 0 (0) |
Respiratory distress | Acidotic breathing, pulmonary oedema, or acute respiratory distress syndrome, on the basis of radiographic densities, hypoxaemia, and positive end-expiratory pressure | 4 (3.3) |
Circulatory collapse or shock | Systolic blood pressure <80 mmHg despite adequate volume repletion | 5 (4.1) |
Abnormal bleeding | Spontaneous bleeding from gums, nose, gastrointestinal tract, or laboratory evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation | 4 (3.3) |
Jaundice/hyperbilirubinaemia | Icteric sclera/buccal mucosa, or serum bilirubin >50 μmol/l (>3 mg/dl) | 17 (13.9) |
Severe anaemia | Heemoglobin concentration <5 g/l, or haematocrit <15% | 0 (0) |
Hypoglycaemia | Whole blood glucose concentration <2.2 mmol/l (<40 mg/dl) | 3 (2.5) |
Renal failure | Serum creatinine >265 μmol/l, oliguria (<400 ml/24 hours) despite adequate rehydration | 5 (4.1) |
Hyperparasitaemia | More than 5% parasitized erythrocytes or >250,000 parasites/μl (in nonimmune individuals) | 13 (10.7) |
Acidosis | Plasma bicarbonate <15 mmol/l or base excess under -10, or acidaemia (arteria/capillaryl pH <7.25) | 4 (3.3) |
Macroscopic haemoglobinuria | Dark or red urine; exclude haematuria, haemolysis not secondary to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency | ND |